Substacks recommended by Sarah Sheldrake

Recommended by Sarah Sheldrake

I am an incurable memoir addict. I love reading it, teaching it, and writing it. Here you will find stories from a life, but you will also learn how to write it, and how memoir can be transformative beyond the page.

Having followed a few Substack signposts to Lily's writing on here within the first fortnight of actively reading on the platform, I am now enjoying all her electrifying words and insights into aspects of living, writing and wrenching the truth from a story.

- Sarah Sheldrake

Clover Stroud: On The Way Life Feels

By Clover Stroud on The Way Life Feels

I write about the moments that make up our extraordinary lives, especially related to creativity, relationships, sobriety, motherhood, grief and joy. I like hearing other's experiences too, so we can connect through a sense of our shared humanity

I came to Clover's work just as she was about to embark on a colossal life experience which, in some ways mirrored my own; a two year secondment with a young family to Washington DC. The Giant on the Skyline jolted me back towards this time. I loved revisiting my memories whilst reading Clover's observations and reckonings with home and have been hooked on her memoir ever since, reading each of her four published books albeit in reverse order.

- Sarah Sheldrake

Open In The Middle

By Caro Giles

Words about a life on the edge

Caro's writing moves over you like the weather, with a wild and gently charged energy.

- Sarah Sheldrake

It's not what I thought it would be.

By Tracy Elizabeth Levy

Real stories from the front lines of life after fifty

This is just fabulously relatable writing and I feel certain that - were there not an expanse of Atlantic Ocean in the way - if paths were to cross I would enjoy the company of the writer. Read Tracy's words if you can.

- Sarah Sheldrake

The Shift With Sam Baker

By sam baker

Women don't vanish after 40. Who knew?! Amplifying and celebrating the voices of women in midlife and beyond by the former editor of Red, Cosmopolitan (and Just 17!)

The Shift was one of my very first discovery follows on here and now serves as a completely brilliant compass and outstanding barometer of all things Substack and way beyond. A directory of sorts. Yes, exactly that.

- Sarah Sheldrake

Kate Spicer says Sort Yourself Out

eu·pho·ri·a (yū-fōr'ē-ă), 1. A feeling of well-being. 2. The pleasure state induced by a drug or substance of abuse.

White Ink with Anna Wharton

An exclusive creative writing community blending feminist thinking with writing craft (memoir, non-fiction and fiction) and personal essays. Hosted by a Sunday Times Bestselling and Orwell Prize longlisted author.

Anna writes so generously and, with candour and consideration, covers big topics which resonate with me. Her workshops have informed my writing hugely, her monthly 'write with me' group brings me community and she also has a recently commissioned non-fiction title which I'm also SUPER keen to read.

- Sarah Sheldrake

savour by Alice Vincent

notes on the delicious things in life

I have Hark on pre-order ( not many sleeps now! ) and really enjoyed Alice's previous book Why Women Grow, an interrogation on gardening and other themes and tiny seeds which I shan't spoil for you here. A delight to read and listen to alike.

- Sarah Sheldrake